Communal Seder Rocks
Yet another rip-roaring success and with one of
its largest turn out to date, MHS celebrated another communal Seder this year.
Nearly 100 people including 22 children joined in the Annie & Samuel Levy
Hall for the annual event, now in its 14th year. In their usual
inimitable style, Rabbi Yitzchak and Chani Schochet hosted the crowd. Waxing
lyric, sharing moving insights and sprinkled with his usual humorous
anecdotes,
Rabbi Schochet regaled the assembled for four
hours, while Chani ensured the smooth running of events, including the
sumptuous four course meal. Hand baked
shmurah
matzah was in abundance as was the personally ground bitter herbs for the
brave as well as a selection of fine wine not to mention the excessive amount
of nosh available for the children.
Tensions peaked when Rabbi Schochet had to engage
protracted negotiations with the children after his
afikomen
had been taken. Terms were agreed though remain
confidential (a common practise in the United synagogue today). The evening
culminated with a variety of songs – old and some new, including a special
rendition of “Moses” to the tune of the Flintstones and the Rabbi’s special rap
beat to ‘Who Knows One.’ All in all a most memorable evening.
PURIM 5767 / 2007
Rabbi & Rebbetzin Getting Into The Spirit
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It was as sensational as it gets. More than 500 people turned out for the
MHS annual Purim extravaganza. It being a Saturday night, allowed for many more
youngsters to be in attendance. Lots of food, hot-dogs galore, and a steady
stream of alcohol provided for much merriment. A bouncy castle and obstacle
course kept the older children occupied while many of the youngsters were
entertained by synagogue member, Adam Ant. Meanwhile the adults were dancing to
the beat of The Yeshiva Band which rocked on for several hours. The more
courageous Moms and Dads were in fancy dress while all the children participated
in a fancy dress contest. This years first place winner was an iPod - the young
Ingram lad dressed as a pea pod with a big eye at the top (all sewn together by
his Mom, Michelle, who so ably oversaw the catering for the evening). All in all
a memorable night for all the community.
Missing Soldiers supported
MHS was honoured with the presence of Zvi
Regev, father of kidnapped
Israel
soldier, Eldad Regev, who was taken by Hizbollah along with Ehud Goldwasser
early last July. Mr. Regev, whose wife sat quietly and sorrowfully in the
audience, spoke passionately about his son and his belief in the fact that he
is still alive. He appealed to the hundred strong audience that they should
lobby the
UK government to
put pressure on
Syria
and whomever else for the release of the soldiers.
Elana Levi, who came along as translator for
Mr. Regev, is also a near neighbour and personal friend of the family of
Israeli army soldier Yigal Shalit who was abducted several months prior on the
Gaza boarder. She relayed the details of how the story broke to the family and
how her otherwise small, quiet town was “transformed over night into a living
hell.”
Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet opened the proceedings
with words of comfort and encouragement to the two guests, and Federation Dayan
Lichtenstein, who made an impromptu appearance, was invited to make some
closing remarks.
Mile High Minyan
plane
|
Last month a young man was removed from an Air Canada flight to New York because he was praying on board. His
tefilin and
swaying apparently made fellow passengers uneasy. But not every airline
is insensitive to religious practises on board. On a recent BA
flight from JFK to Heathrow, one passenger, sixteen year old Motty
Schochet approached a stewardess and asked whether he could organise a
minyan
for evening services. She gave her immediate consent. When some 13 men
were rounded up at the back of the plane, it hit very heavy turbulence.
Another stwerdess insisted they return to their seats. Motty asked
whether they could
'make it real quick' adding with a smile that
'the prayer would calm the turbulence.' Smiling back the stewardess gave them five minutes. Certainly the fastest
Mariv in BA history.
Purim Extravaganza
